Campaign couple are now equal partners

FOR years they wanted the same legal rights as a married couple without actually tying the knot.

Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan campaigned for opposite-sex civil partnerships to be allowed in the UK and took their battle to the Supreme Court, arguing that a civil partnership felt more equal to them than a traditional marriage.

And yesterday morning they were among the first to celebrate their legal union, in a basic ceremony that cost just £46.

The pair registered their partnership at Kensington and Chelsea Register Office with daughters Eden, four, and twoyear-old Ariel by their side. They were also joined by parents and close friends.

They were among dozens of couples who made history yesterday by becoming Britain’s first heterosexual civil partners.

After their union, Ms Steinfeld, 38, said: ‘It feels fantastic on a personal and a political level. We are feminists and we see each other as civil partners.

‘Our wish to form a civil partnership was rooted in our desire to formalise our relationship in a more modern way, focused on equality and mutual respect.’

Mr Keidan, 43, added: ‘Against all odds, we succeeded in a legal battle against the Government, then they did what we asked for. Not many people can say that.’

The couple, who live in West London, had argued that denying a mixed-sex couple the right to a civil partnership was discriminatory.

In May, the panel of Supreme Court justices, including Lady Hale, heard the couple’s case and held that the Civil Partnership Act 2004 was ‘incompatible’ with human rights laws.

The change of law came into effect on December 2 and the first ceremonies took place yesterday. Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss said: ‘Congratulations to all the couples who are having civil partnerships today.’